Stronger, Experienced, and
Guided
In its fourth year at Oakland University, the softball
team looks to improve on last year?s season, which will be quite a feat. After
finishing the regular season in second place in the Mid-Con Conference, the
Grizzlies went on to win the conference title defeating regular season UMKC. In
NCAA Tournament action, the Grizzlies not only competed in the tournament, but
also made it to the second round ? only to be defeated by intrastate rival
Central Michigan. Although last year?s season was a success, this year?s team
believes the 2003 season will yield more accomplishments and greater
expectations.
Goals for the 2003 season are short but sweet: win the
Mid-Con Championship and Tournament title, proceed to the third round of the NCAAs, and have a greater winning record than in 2002. Throughout preseason,
the team has been focusing on key elements that will allow them to achieve their
goals. The team looks to win every pitch, every inning, and every out.
In order to reach these goals, the seniors on the will be
relied upon heavily this year and as first year head coach Mike Tomlinson
comments, it?s a year for them to ?go out with a bang.? The seniors have been
with the Grizzlies for three seasons now and have built the experience and have
made improvements that will allow them to lead the team to a second straight
Mid-Con title and NCAA Tournament appearance. This year?s seniors for the team
includes Ericka Burns (Clinton, Ont.), Nina Catanzaro (Shelby Twp., Mich.),
Jennifer Granger (Troy, Mich.), Linnea Utecht (Oshkosh, Wisc.), Lauren Seffens
(Ortonville, Mich.), Megan Piar (Lancaster, Ohio), Julie Anderson (Portland,
Mich.) and Tiffany Evans (Larue,
Ohio).
Keys to winning games will fall largely into the hands of
the senior pitching staff ? which includes seniors Anderson, Utecht, and Evans.
Anderson was named to the 2002 Mid-Con Tournament team last year after pulling
out strong performances during the championships. Utecht was second on the team
in 2002 with a .310 batting average as she recorded 36 hits including five
doubles, two triples and 11 RBIs. Although Evans only saw action on the mound a
total of four times last season, she has gained some valuable experience through
postseason and preseason play that will aid the Grizzlies in game action.
Other players that will contribute to Oakland?s pitching
staff are sophomores Erinn Voytal (Berkley, Mich.) and Nicole Marzano
(McHenry, Ill.). Both players have been working with the staff training and
improving their pitches for the upcoming season and are considered the team?s
pitchers of the future.
?We will rely and are expecting
a lot out of our pitching staff this year,? stated Tomlinson. ?We are
better this year ? we have more experience, more leadership, and know how to
win.?
Another component that is vital to the Grizzlies success
is hitting. Returning for the Grizzlies is last year?s Mid-Con Tournament MVP
and All-Conference selection Ericka Burns (Clinton, Ont.). Burns led both the
Grizzlies and the Mid-Con with a .574 slugging percentage, scoring 31 runs and
tallying 114 total bases. Burns was also the top hitter for OU with a .365
batting average. Joining Burns in the offense are fellow seniors Granger,
Seffens, and Catanzaro. Granger tallied 32 hits including nine doubles and 15
RBIs while hitting a .234 batting average from the plate in 2002. Seffens
ranked fifth on the team with a .255 batting average totaling 35 hits, five
doubles and 16 RBIs. Catanzaro is one of the Grizzlies quickest team members
and provided timely offense last year hitting a grand slam that allowed OU to
advance to the Mid-Con championship game.
Heading the defensive end of the team is Mid-Con
Tournament team and Second Team All-Conference selection, catcher Megan Piar.
Piar ranked second on the team with 242 putouts and 67 assists. Piar is not
only expected to provide solid defense for the Grizzlies but to be a good
on-base provider and bat some RBIs. Ericka Judge (Fort Collins, Col.) joins
Piar as the backbone of the Grizzlies defense along with Granger, Catanzaro,
Christina Schulte (So./Rochester, Mich.), and Valene Hair (So./New Baltimore,
Mich.).
Judge is the team?s short stop
and field general. As a sophomore, Judge had 94 putouts and tallied 122
assists while earning a .171 batting average including 11 hits and five RBIs.
Granger not only is a key
element in the Grizzlies offense but a key to the team?s defense. In the
2002 season, Granger led the team defensively with 397 putouts and 30 assists.
Catanzaro uses her speed and strength in the defensive end
playing infield. Last year?s statistics include 127 putouts and 83 assists.
After receiving a medical redshirt in 2002, Schulte
returns to action recovered and in better condition than before. Schulte is one
of the team?s better outfielders and with recovery, is expected to see playing
time this season.
Hair will be the team?s future catcher having seen limited
time in 2002. Her responsibilities will be expected to increase this year and
she will also begin working with the staff?s pitching team. Highlighting the
2002 season was the game-winning run that propelled OU past UMKC in last year?s
conference championship game.
Other contributors to this year?s team are juniors Donna
McCoy (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio), Bozenna Johnson (Lousiville, Ohio), and newcomers
Katie Jones (Crystal Lake, Ill.) and Camie Knorr (Appleton, Wis.). McCoy?s
strengths lie in her natural ability as a true lefty and speed. Johnson has
been plagued with injuries since her debut at Oakland, however, is expected to
be in full health this season and contribute to the team.
Freshman Jones will be looking to see time at first and
third base this season. Jones? brings strength and athletic ability to the
team. Fellow freshman Knorr is tabbed the centerfield of the future for the
Grizzlies. Knorr will see time in that position as well as shortstop throughout
her debuts at Oakland.
Oakland faces a tough schedule
this year and conference games are expected to be a great challenge. A
matter of only one or two games can merely separate the difference in finishing
first or third place.
?Since the conference is only
improving and every team is getting stronger, the games are going to be tough ?
every game we?re going to have to play well to win,? commented Tomlinson.
?However, we have much more experience this year and it?ll help us win games.?
Having only lost one starter to last year?s team, the 2003
Golden Grizzlies are stronger, more experienced, and ready to play. The team
has a wealth of leadership through its eight seniors who will lead the team on
their journey to the 2003 NCAA Tournament.
?We got to taste how the NCAA
Tournament works last year,? stated Tomlinson. ?This year however, we?re
essentially returning the same team ? a team that knows how to win and expects a
lot more. We won?t be content by just making the Tournament.?
